Project Management for Engineers – The Essentials (Fall 2026)

Engineers are often either leading a project team or contributing as a key team member in the project. Studies have shown that implementing project management practices within a project team results in improved efficiency, productivity and morale within the project.

This course addresses the essential tools of project management as applied to engineering projects. The course is aligned with the Project Management Institute’s Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK^® Guide) and ISO standards in project management. Topics include:

• starting a project on a strong foundation
• defining project requirements and project scope
• applying the systems engineering approach to project management
• managing uncertainty
• developing and managing a project schedule and budget
• assigning project roles and responsibilities

 
During the course participants will apply what they learn by developing project plan outputs for their chosen case study. Participants will also have an opportunity to compare project management practices from their own work environments to case studies. This course can be customized to incorporate your organization’s specific project management process or case studies.

This course is eligible for continuing education credits and the education requirements for professional designations in project management such as the PMP^®.

Credential Awarded:

Upon successful completion of the course, participants will receive a certificate of completion. This program qualifies for 16 hours of continuing professional development (CPD) credits.

Why Attend the Project Management for Engineers – The Essentials Course?

• One of the few project management courses in Canada designed exclusively for engineers.
• Designed and delivered by engineers who teach project management in the engineering faculties at Queen’s University and the University of Toronto and consult widely across engineering sectors.
• Highly practical and hands‑on: build real project artifacts you can use immediately.
• Engineering‑specific case studies from manufacturing, automation, construction, product development, and innovation.
• Learn within a cohort of engineers, creating a peer group with similar technical challenges and goals.

What You Will Learn in the Project Management for Engineers – The Essentials Course:

At the end of this course, participants should be able to:

• Identify and prioritize stakeholder requirements using project management tools,
• Use common project management terminology,
• Define the role and competencies of a project manager,
• Use tools to develop a complete and accurate project plan for a small to medium-sized project,
• Develop a personal archive of “best practices” from actual engineering projects.

Who Should Take the Course?

• Early‑career engineers who need practical project skills to move from technical contributor to project lead.
• Mid‑career engineers stepping into project leadership, supervisor, or technical‑project hybrid roles.
• Mechanical, civil, electrical, chemical, industrial, and software engineers seeking engineering‑specific PM training.
• Engineers working in manufacturing, construction, automation, product development, or industrial environments.
• Small and medium engineering firms (or teams without internal PM training) needing structured, hands‑on project management development.

What You Can Expect:

We will take a practical, applied approach with large and small group discussions, individual exercises, and team assignments.
 

Course Outline

Instructor

Darya Duma, P.Eng., PMP

Darya Duma is President of 4DPM and an adjunct lecturer in the Master of Engineering programs at Queen’s University and the University of Toronto. For over 20 years, she has designed and delivered project management training and frameworks for engineering and construction clients, coaching teams to implement practical PM practices. Her clients have included Bruce Power, Public Works and Government Services Canada, Ontario Power Generation, the National Energy Board, OSPE, and Vale. She is Program Director for the 10‑day Mechanical Contracting Project Management course for the Mechanical Contractors Association of Canada. Internationally, Darya is active in ISO/TC 258, serving as editing chair for governance (WG2) and Vice‑Chair of the Canadian Mirror Committee. Her project background spans industrial elevator installations, standards development, and developing project management business practices with project experience including Hibernia GBS, the Sudbury Neutrino Observatory, Ontario Hydro, Vancouver Port, Nunavut Community of Government Services, Ontario Lottery and Gaming and residential construction. She holds an Engineering Science degree (Western) and an MEng, Construction Management emphasis (U of T).